Metro Walk by Olson Homes, a brand-new urban lifestyle community located in the heart of Azusa’s most up-and-coming neighborhood, will debut with a Model Grand Opening event on Saturday, February 3 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. and you’re invited!
Guests in attendance at the event will have the opportunity to tour the models of the new Metro Walk townhome collection between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Model homes will remain open until 6 p.m.) Come enjoy live music and tasty treats from The Grilled Cheese Truck and ice cream from Front Porch Pops. Olson Homes is also giving away $150 Amazon gift card! Wouldn’t you love to win? To enter the giveaway, RSVP “GOING to THIS Facebook event” here. You can also tag your friends & family in this event and for each person you tag, you’ll get an extra entry!*** All participants who enter will be entered to win $150 Amazon Gift Card. Winner will be randomly selected within 48 hours after the promotion ends on 2/3/18 at 5 p.m. PST. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Ends 2/3/18. See official rules at http://bit.ly/OlsonMetroWalkGOGiveawayRules for complete details.
Metro Walk features thirty gorgeous new townhomes will showcase three unique floorplans that offer up to 1,743 square feet and 4 bedrooms.
Olson prides itself on building homes that are both stylish and energy-efficient including ultra modern features such as automatic shut-off motion sensors in all baths, water-efficient toilets and faucets and Energy Star appliances. To read about the full details of home interiors, exteriors, and included appliances go here.
The bustling nearby downtown area overflows with incredible restaurants, shopping, and entertainment venues. In addition to these wonderful amenities, Metro Walk residents will also enjoy an easy commute to work or play as this transit-oriented community is conveniently located next to freeways and the new Metro Rail Gold Line. Olson designed this community with an energetic, urban lifestyle in mind!
Join the Interest List to be part of the building process with special selections and weekly updates. After closing on a home, Olson will continue to support buyers with a 10-year home warranty. Prospective buyers can now PRE-QUALIFY for a home and be added to the VIP Priority List for exclusive access to private events and priority home selection. A private model showing and sales release will also be held for VIP members.
For more details on the Metro Walk Model Grand Opening event, please visit the official Olson Homes Facebook page. Stay in the loop on all upcoming Olson Homes’ events, offers, and more by following them on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Join in the conversation about this Grand Opening by using the hashtag #OlsonMetroWalk on social media.
Month: January 2018
The shopDisney and Oh My Disney Collection You NEED
Disney store has teamed up with Oh My Disney to deliver the first-ever, exclusive collection inspired by what fans love. Oh My Disney is the ultimate digital destination for a daily dose of Disney. Every day, Oh My Disney remixes classic Disney stories in a voice that Gen Z and Millennial fans can instantly identify with.
Stand out from the crowd with the bold and irreverent style from the new Oh My Disney Collection. It’s fresh and fun and includes Disney quotes and phrases on tees and jackets, stationary and accessories, featuring fan-favorite villains, princesses and more.
Evil Queen Tank Top for Women ($26.95): This tank top shows that a little attitude can help you get through the week. Featuring Snow White’s royal nemesis, it offers the proclamation that “Mondays are Evil.” Hard to argue with that.
Evil Queen Journal ($14.95): Mondays are evil – but to be fair, they make the rest of the week worth writing about. Scrawl your rants, plans, and tales of triumph in this dark, glittery journal, knowing that all of your thoughts are guarded and approved by the Evil Queen. 
Disney Princess Pencil Set ($12.95): These graphite pencils draw inspiration from some of Disney’s most magical fairytales. Whether you’re scheming or dreaming, writing about awkward moments or about how Mondays are evil, the Disney Princesses have your every mood covered.
You can find these items, as well as the full Oh My Disney collection exclusively at your local Disney store and shopDisney!
LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel at LEGOLAND® California Resort Set to Open April 27 + Now Taking Reservations
If you haven’t heard the latest exciting news to come out of LEGOLAND® California Resort, they broke ground last year on North America’s first LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel! It’s like every LEGO-loving kid’s dream come true! The all-new premium themed hotel, located right at the main entrance of LEGOLAND California, is officially set to open on April 27!
The LEGOLAND Castle Hotel will include will feature 250 premium LEGO Castle themed rooms with your choice of Knights & Dragons, Royal Princess or Magic Wizard, including 20 suites, and will completely immerse guests into a castle experience from the moment they enter the grand hall. Hotel guests will experience dining in an amazing sit- down royal restaurant and engage in courtyard entertainment by the pool.
Here’s a short video showing a brief hardhat tour of the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel:
Upon entering LEGOLAND Castle Hotel, guests will first step into a grand hall where they are met by a LEGO wizard before taking a magical levitating lift (elevator) that will take them to one of three different floors where adventures await.
In the Knight rooms, guests are surrounded by dragons and knights as they prepare to go into battle to defend the king’s castle and protect the king’s treasure. In the Princess rooms, woodland animals such as butterflies, squirrels, owls and song birds all made of LEGO, of course, are found. In the Wizard rooms, guests discover how magic is used to protect the king’s treasure with the use of giggling potions and spells. Guests will find LEGO Castle décor throughout. 
The Royal Courtyard outside is designed to immerse children in a fairy tale of their own creation with a DUPLO play area for the younger kids, larger play structures for the older kids, giant movie screen for nighttime movies and a stage for live plays and shows.
The pool area will feature fountains and other interactive water features a gradual incline pool and hot tub. The pool bar and grill will offer smoothies, sandwiches and salads prepared fresh to order.
Other unique, fun features at the hotel include a slide that will connect the lobby to the first floor and a knock knock door created to entertain guests. More than 2,100 LEGO models made out of more than three million LEGO bricks that will be featured inside the rooms and throughout the Hotel.
The all-new themed restaurant, Dragon’s Den Restaurant & Bar, will be LEGOLAND California Resort’s only full-service sit down restaurant and will include an open kitchen for guests to watch chefs preparing their food, LEGO models, entertainers and locally-sourced food creating a unique dining experience. Breakfast will be included with each guest’s stay and includes made-to-order items along with a buffet.
LEGOLAND California Resort is accepting reservations for the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel. For more information on booking hotel reservations, please visit: http://www.LEGOLAND.com/castlehotel
Disneyland Resort Reimagines Downtown Disney District in 2018 with Innovative New Venues and Refurbishments
The Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort is continuing its ambitious, promenade-wide transformation in 2018. Multiple new venues and significant refurbishments to marquee dining and retail locations, including the World of Disney store, will be completed throughout the year while Downtown Disney remains open to guests. The result will be a fresh, one-of-a-kind Disney experience, immersing guests by day and night in the greatest mix of family-friendly dining, shopping and entertainment.
Also announced, popular craft brewer Ballast Point will open its first Orange County
location in Downtown Disney later this year. Ballast Point pairs award-winning beers with an extensive menu of Southern California cuisine—salads, small plates, flatbreads and entrees featuring local, sustainable and seasonal ingredients. In addition to Ballast Point’s iconic beers, including its flagship Sculpin IPA, the location will serve exclusive, limited-edition beers available only at Downtown Disney. The space will house Downtown Disney’s first-ever on-site brewery, as well as a tasting room, kitchen and outdoor beer garden.
“Our guests are constantly looking for unique experiences, which is why we’re refreshing familiar spaces and unveiling new locations around every corner of the Disneyland Resort. Innovative venues such as Ballast Point, Splitsville and The VOID are just a few great examples of the transformation taking place in Downtown Disney this year.” – Michael Colglazier, president, Disneyland Resort.
A recent addition to Downtown Disney is the multi-sensory experience Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire by ILMxLAB and The VOID. The hyper-reality experience transports guests deep into the Star Wars universe, allowing them to walk freely and untethered throughout the space. In groups of four, teams go undercover as stormtroopers to capture Imperial intelligence vital to the budding rebellion’s survival.
Other exciting experiences slated to open in 2018 include:
- World of Disney will be reimagined into a new, dynamic and distinctly Disney retail environment. The flagship store will remain open to guests for shopping during the majority of the refurbishment, with work expected to be completed in phases throughout 2018. World of Disney will continue to offer the largest selection of Disney toys,souvenirs, accessories, collectibles and more at the Disneyland Resort.
- Splitsville Luxury Lanes, a dynamic recreation destination, will offer a unique
combination of dining, drinks, bowling and entertainment. Opening on January 29, the Downtown Disney District location will feature 20 bowling lanes interspersed throughout two floors, four dining areas (indoors and out), more than 25 flat screen TVs and live entertainment 365 days a year. - Disney Home will offer fans a variety of Disney-themed home goods. Guests will find a curated assortment of products that change with each season. Disney Home will open February 2018 in the former D-Street location.
- Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria will undergo renovations to expand its patio with a new outside bar and additional seating for al fresco dining. Inside, three wood burning ovens will be installed to better meet guests’ demands for authentic Napoletana-style pizza pies. The restaurant will remain open throughout construction, which is slated to be completed in fall 2018. In addition, Napolini, Naples’ fast-casual concept, will also remain open, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Napolini will undergo renovations during the latter part of construction.
- Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer will open its first California location in the heart
of Downtown Disney District later this year. Known for its award-winning burgers and signature CrazyShake™ milkshakes, Black Tap will offer a casual atmosphere reminiscent of a modern luncheonette, with a distinctly New York vibe.
The Downtown Disney District (no admission fee required) is steps from Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park and the three on-property hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Atmospheric music and entertainment create a lively backdrop for guests. The destination features a diverse collection of casual restaurants, favorite snacking stops, shopping boutiques and high-energy entertainment, including Starbucks, The VOID, La Brea Bakery Café, The LEGO Store, Curl Surf, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar, Sephora, Sprinkles, PANDORA Jewelry, The Dream Boutique and the World of Disney store.
The Downtown Disney District parking lot is conveniently located next to the action and offers three hours of parking with a $20 minimum purchase and validation from any Downtown Disney location. Guests will also enjoy up to five hours of parking with validation from any Downtown Disney table-service restaurant or AMC Downtown Disney 12 Theatres.
For more information and to see the latest updates, please visit https://disneyland.disney.go.com/.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with These Adorable Disney Store Gifts
With Valentine’s Day less than a month away, it’s time to start shopping for something special to celebrate this day of love and friendship. For me, the best kinds of gifts are Disney gifts! 
This year, the Valentine’s Day collection from Disney store and shopDisney offers a variety of gift ideas, from swoon-worthy accessories, heartwarming home décor and clothes you’ll “heart”! The collection includes:
- A special Valentine’s Day Mickey and Minnie Mouse Scented “Tsum Tsum” Plush Set – Gift your special someone with a soft “Tsum Tsum” surprise this Valentine’s Day. These plush Mickey and Minnie bonbons are “coated” like chocolates and scented the same for presentation on a heart-shaped pillow with embroidered filigree.
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse Family Sleepwear Collection – The whole family can turn up the fun at bedtime in these comfy pajamas! (I think these are way better than Christmas jammies!)
- Lady and the Tramp Plush Set – Plush Lady and Tramp pause on a lovely “Bella Notte” for an unforgettable al fresco dinner at Tony’s. Our romantic canine couple will warm the heart of your Valentine with their special satin bows and collars.
- Mickey Mouse Heart Hands Baseball Cap for Adults – Show your adoration for the Disney Parks with this stylish twill baseball hat featuring an embroidery of Mickey’s gloves sending a heart your way. A trendy dad cap silhouette makes this hat a must have, inside of the park and out!
Find these items as well as the full Valentine’s Day collection at your local Disney store and shopDisney. 
How are you going to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? I’ll be celebrating in Disney
Style, of course!
Images are property of Disney Store and shopDisney and used with permission.
Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration Begins January 27
I always get excited about news coming out of Knott’s! Have you heard that they’re kicking off the new year with an all-new offering? Yes! The Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration! 
This all-new Seasons of Fun event is uniquely dedicated to celebrating the beloved PEANUTS characters and invites guests to step inside the pages of a Charles M. Schulz comic strip as the characters take over the entire theme park for the very first time.
The newly introduced event will take place on weekends beginning January 27th through February 25th plus President’s Day, February 19th. The limited time celebration unites fans of all ages to join in on the fun and friendship of the most adventurous group around by introducing new ways for guests to play and interact with the PEANUTS Gang throughout the park.
The event will feature:
- special PEANUTS inspired décor
- new social media worthy comic strip photo ops
- new character experiences
- live shows
- exclusive merchandise
…and deliciously themed treats will complete this whimsical celebration!
Have you heard? For the first time ever at Knott’s, guests will have the opportunity to meet PigPen from the PEANUTS Gang! He’ll be over in the Livery Stable with his new animal friends! 
Our family is so excited to check out the Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration on opening weekend and will be sharing more photos, videos & info about it on my Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter, so be sure to follow along. Will you be stopping by Knott’s to check out the all-new PEANUTS Celebration? For more information or to purchase park tickets ahead of time, please visit here.
Rock Your Dots Minnie-Style with shopDisney! #RocktheDots
In honor of National Polka Dot Day on January 22, join in the fun and #RocktheDots with an entire Minnie Mouse-inspired collection for all ages at shopDisney. Celebrate our favorite female mouse fashion icon and her classic polka dot look as it’s been reimagined by the fashion industry through the decade to help fashionistas rock their dots #MinnieStyle,
Disney store is offering the Minnie Rocks the Dots collection. It’s the most adorable collection and features some of the following items:
- Minnie Mouse Bow Diamond Pendant Necklace – This beautiful and sparkly piece will help you shine in Minnie’s classic style, when you wear this charming, fine chain necklace. With a sculptured rose gold-finished pendant, it was inspired by Minnie’s iconic hairpiece sparkles and has faceted diamond polka dots.
- Minnie Mouse Polka Dot Umbrella – This full-size umbrella features a clear top and fabric border and is styled with polka dots all over it! Just think how fun it would be to spend rainy days “Rocking the Dots” just like Minnie Mouse.
- Minnie Mouse Polka Dot Mug with Lid – Sip in style as Minnie’s signature polka dots cover this must-have mug, featuring a lid that doubles as a coaster. Minnie is sure to charm your mornings with this sweet ceramic mug.
- Minnie Mouse Ears Headband for Adults – We could all stand to borrow from Minnie’s signature style and sparkle while wearing this gem-studded Minnie Mouse Ears Headband, featuring an oversized, glittering polka dot bow. As a special offer, you can purchase this headband for just $8 with any purchase.
You can find these and the full Minnie Rocks the Dots collection exclusively at your local Disney store and shopDisney!
How will you #RockTheDots with #shopDisney?
Dine With Orcas® Dining Experience at SeaWorld San Diego
Our family loves to go on new adventures and experience all there is to do here in Southern California. We recently took a drive down south for the day to visit SeaWorld San Diego. It’s just about an hour drive from Orange County, where we reside.
I love the fact that you have so many options of things to do at SeaWorld. Not only do they offer a large selection of educational exhibits and shows in the park but there are also a bunch of thrilling attractions to check out. (Manta, the attraction, is a must!)
On our visit, which included tweens, we found that there’s something for everyone in your family to enjoy in the park and on this visit, we were invited to an extra special experience. 
“Dine With Orcas®” is a special ticketed event is an hour long experience where guests get to enjoy a delicious chef-crafted meal, on a private poolside patio, next to Orca whales. It’s an immersive and memorable family dining experience that allows you to discover what makes killer whales so unique from a presentation given by SeaWorld’s behaviorists.
The meal is set up buffet-style, with gourmet offerings for both adults and children. I was elated to have so many wonderful food choices. The culinary team at SeaWorld goes above and beyond with the food. The menu can change seasonally and we got to try the Fall/Winter menu which includes:
- Oven Roasted Turkey – Gravy, Cornbread Stuffing, Cranberry Aioli
- Grown Up Mac and Cheese Bar – With Bacon, Chives & Parmesan Cheese
- Pork Spare Ribs with a Chipotle BBQ Sauce
- Sustainable Salmon made with Lemon Dill Butter Sauce & Tomatoes
- Chicken Tikka with Curry Sauce
- Creamy Polenta with Roasted Corn and Feta
- Oven Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
- Local Fall & Winter Vegetables
- Charcuterie Display – Salami, Local and Imported Cheeses, Cornichons, Grain Mustard, Breads
- Crisp Romaine Caesar – Croutons, Traditional Dressing & Aged Parmesan
- Greek Kale Salad – Romaine, Kalamata Olives, Pickled Red Onion, Pepperoncini, Tomato, Feta, tossed in a Red Wine Oregano Vinaigrette
- Asparagus with a Pomegranate Orange Vinaigrette
The Kids Menu offerings include:
- Chicken Nuggets with organic ketchup
- Sweet Peas & Carrots
- Cavatappi Pasta
- Meatball Marinara
There was also a Dessert Bar that featured:
- An Ultimate Homemade Cheesecake Display
- Fresh Local Fruit
- Flourless Chocolate Bouchons
- Chocolate Covered Shamu Shortbreads
- Vanilla Cupcakes
- Flan
- Chocolate Pudding
- Mini Donut Holes
Dine With Orcas® dining experience features menu items that are sustainable, organic and locally sourced. From fresh California salad greens to locally-grown vegetables, in-season produce is selected straight from regional farmers to ensure that guests are getting the freshest produce available.
There is something fascinating about getting to sit up-close to the Orcas and having the opportunity to learn more about them. What beautiful animals! Our family enjoyed this experience immensely and I’d say it’s a definite “must-do” to add to your day at SeaWorld San Diego.
Dine With Orcas is open 7 days a week. and advance reservations are highly recommended, because some seatings tend to sell out quickly. However, if space is available, “day of” reservations can be made at the ticket booths or Guest Services just inside the park.Book now; this is an exclusive, up close, experience you won’t want to miss!
Here are a couple of “Know Before You Go” tips for you:
- I suggest recommend arriving 15-30 minutes prior to your time to get in line. This may you have the best chance of getting a table closest to the window.
- You can get $5 off the price of an adult ticket for “Dine With Orcas” when you purchase yours online here before your visit.
- The price of your meal includes non-alcoholic drink options. However, beer and wine are available for purchase as well.
- Gratuity is not included in the price of your meal so remember to bring cash tip your server. (Ours worked so hard)
Have you visited SeaWorld San Diego before? If so, share your favorite memory with me in the comments!
For more information about the Dine With Orcas Dining Experience or to plan your own visit to the park, please visit https://seaworld.com/san-diego/.
Connect with SeaWorld San Diego on Facebook and Instagram.
Non-Candy Valentine’s Day Treats for Kids + Free Printable Pencil Flags
Although Valentine’s Day is traditionally laden with chocolates and sweet treats, there are also so many non-sweet treats available nowadays. As an elementary school teacher, I’m always looking for alternatives to candy that I can give my students either as rewards during the month of February or to put in their Valentine’s Day mailboxes.
I found a ton of cute, non-sweet treats like tiny notebooks, mini heart erasers, fun pencils, and a bunch of different Valentine’s stickers. (everyone loves stickers!) I love to give my students 
To make the Valentine’s pencils extra fun, I designed a set of purple, hot pink, and red printable “Happy Valentine’s Day” flags to add to them. I printed them on white cardstock so they were sturdy. (You can download these for free at the bottom of this post.)
After printing out the pencil flags, you can cut each one with scissors or a paper cutter.
Fold them flag strips and apply pressure to the crease. Next, trim each one to a flag shape. Use a glue stick to fasten each one securely around the top of each pencil. To print out the FREE printable “Happy Valentine’s Day” flags, go here.
I made a non-candy “treat” bag for each of my students that included a Smile Face Valentine pencil with a flag on it, a couple of Mini Valentine Spiral Notebooks, a handful of Mini Smile Face Erasers, a couple sheets of Mini Heart Big Roll Stickers, and a Tic-Tac-Toe Valentine Sticker Card for each student. I stuck everything into a clear cellophane bag. and tied with some ribbon. I can’t wait to pass them out on Valentine’s Day! Do you send anything special for Valentine’s Day for your child’s classmates?